The National Retail Federation (NRF) reports that parents will spend an average of $630.36 for each child going back to school this year to cover clothes, electronics and supplies—that’s down from last year’s $669.28. But is it necessary to spend that much?

Pretty much any teacher anywhere will provide a list of what to bring to the first day of school—anything beyond that is a waste of money.

“As seen over the last 13 years, spending on ‘back to school’ has consistently fluctuated based on children’s needs each year, and it’s unlikely most families would need to restock and replenish apparel, electronics and supplies every year,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay in an NRF press release. “Parents this summer will inventory their children’s school supplies and decide what is needed and what can be reused, which just makes good budgeting sense for families with growing children.”

I took an informal poll, and learned from teachers in my network that every year on the first day of school, students haul in useless and distracting items. Unless the teacher specifies your child will need any of these, you can skip purchasing:

Mechanical pencils: "The kids lose them at the same rate as regular lead pencils (which cost 10 times less), and on the off chance that they do hold onto them, they are constantly running out of lead," says Greg Hurst, a high school English teacher in Arlington, Wash.

Clipboards: "In fifteen years of teaching, I've never had anything that required a clipboard for students," Hurst says.

Trapper Keepers or zip-up binders: They cost more than O-ring or D-ring binders but perform the exact same function.

Note cards: Only if assigned for specific projects. "My suggestion would be to buy a cheap 500 pack during back to school (
Staples had them for $1 last year!) and hold on to them until needed," Hurst says.

Packs of loose-leaf paper: "As we move to a more digital environment, these are becoming outdated. Additionally, wire-bound notebooks now offer perforated sheets that can easily be taken out for turn-in, while staying fairly organized until then. All too often, I see students with a backpack full of random sheets stuffed in there," Hurst says.

Whiteout: "Useless!" Hurst says. "Most teachers would prefer seeing cross-outs on drafts so that they may see the individual student's process."

Toys: Distracting, especially for little kids.

Big and/or rolling backpacks for smaller children: "We have zero room for putting away stuff and they're super bulky and can't be hung up. Also little kids don't need to carry a whole bunch of stuff so you're not really saving their back in anyway," says Kimberley Moran, a second-grade teacher in Hampden, Maine.

Fancy versions of regular things, such as gel or glitter pens in every color: Unless specifically assigned, it's easier for teachers to read papers in black or blue ink.

Candy or sugary snacks: Imagine your own kid on a sugar high and subsequent meltdown, and then multiply that by 15 or however many students there are in the classroom. That's why.